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Early Childhood Education

Program

The Early Childhood Education program prepares students to work with young children from birth through eight years of age and their families in a variety of settings including child care centers, family child care, preschools, Head Start, school age programs, home visiting, and parent education. It is planned to accommodate both full- and part-time students including those currently employed in the field.

Child Development Associate (CDA)

The program has as its basis preparation for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Students may choose to complete the CDA assessment process and be eligible for entry-level jobs at that point. The CDA preparation courses serve as the foundation of the core coursework for the Early Childhood Education Certificate.

Early Childhood Education Certificate

The Early Childhood Education Certificate is a one-year certificate which prepares students to work as teacher assistants or teachers in child care programs, Head Start, or other early childhood settings. Click here for ECE Advising Guides.)

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Early Childhood Education is based on the Guidelines for Preparation of Early Childhood Professionals from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It is a comprehensive program that incorporates the core course work for the ECE certificate and qualifies a student to become a head teacher in a child care facility licensed by the Oregon Child Care Division, a teacher in Head Start, or a home visitor, among other professional roles. (Click here for ECE Advising Guides.)

Students will have a choice of specialty areas: infant/toddler, preschool, or family child care, and will complete 300 supervised practicum hours as part of the curriculum.

Joint-Degree Program Leading to a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Development

The four-year joint degree in Early Childhood Development is a collaborative effort between the Early Childhood Education Department of Rogue Community College and the Education Department of Southern Oregon University (SOU). This program provides a 4-year degree in Early Childhood Development for those who complete the program requirements. (More information on SOU's ECD program.)

Current RCC students will be allowed to bring in all applicable credits earned at RCC. RCC Students who graduated or are working toward an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education or an A.A.S. in Early Childhood Education may continue on to earn a bachelor’s degree at SOU under this program. This degree qualifies a student to become a candidate for the SOU Masters in Teaching (MAT) program with a focus on kindergarten through third grade.

Contact Department Head, Connie Denham, for further information. Return to Department page